Saturday, November 9, 2013

And Now For Something Completely Different: Singer 307G2


OK, first things first.  Drop what you are doing (like, um, reading this blog) and check out Shield Maiden Costumes.  Shameless promotion for the charming Jenny, young costumier and the DD's BF.  Whose husband Charlie gave me a 401 that he found at a thrift shop.  Jenny wields a mean 401 herself and makes terrific costumes.  Yes, I know that all of you can do your own sewing, but check it out.  If only because there is so much positive sewing energy flowing around Jenny.



Long time readers know that I sometimes use this blog to discuss one specific sewing machine with one specific person.  In this case the person is the aforementioned Jenny and the machine is a vintage Singer industrial, the 307 G2.  Feel free to look and listen in as I talk to Jenny about this machine.

I have had this machine for around 20 years and have only used it maybe a half a dozen times.  It is an awesome machine and I love it but it takes up way too much space in the studio for only occasional use.  Which is why it needs to go and live with Jenny.


Now THAT's a sewing machine.  I have heard that the head weighs 60 pounds.  I have not weighed it, but I believe it.  And the harp space is a full 10 inches wide.

Near and on the pillar:  Needle postion lever.  Zig-Zag width control.  Stitch length lever.  All with more functionality than on a domestic machine.  The manual explains.

When I bought it I knew nothing about industrial machines, and I got very, very lucky.  There are all sorts of industrial machines for all purposes.  What I found at a local yard sale was a machine specifically designed for tailoring establishments.



I have a rather poor copy of the manual (but enormously better than nothing).  That's how I know it is a tailoring machine, because it says so.  And it has terrific instructions for using the machine for tailoring. 

The light is loose and I never figured out how to tighten it.  I'll bet you can.


 One.....two.....THREE tensioners.    Needles are industrial needles rather than the standards ones you can find at Joanns or Hancocks.   Takes system 135X17.  And it will take double needles, if you can find them.  Of course I broke the one and only needle I had for it when I was test stitching. You can see it in the photo above.  Sewed beautifully up til then.

The bobbins and presser feet are also not the standard ones.  I've got the name of a dealer who specializes in vintage industrials tucked away with the manual. 






As the photo says, the knee lever raised the presser foot.


There is a monster of a motor underneath.  And lots of linkages.  I would not want to take it apart and I LIKE working on things.  Not to mention the fact that when you take screws out of wood and put them back they are never the same.  never as tight.  at least in my experience.

The monster motor runs the machine FAST.  Terrifyingly fast at full blast.  But when I did use it I was able to control it well enough.







With an on-off switch on the front



The bobbin winder runs on the motor belt.  A latch snaps it in place when you want to wind.


I have the whole thing up on a moveable platform.  This lifts the foot pedal up too high for sewing unless you are sitting on a stool but it did make it possible for me to move it out of the way when I needed to. 


I oh-so-cleverly made a cover for it.


And when I say "made" what I mean is that I found a plastic box almost the right size and cut a small notch out of it so that it would fit around the bobbin winder thread stand.


14 comments:

  1. Nice machine and it sounds like it will go to a great home. I am a frequent user of industrial machines myself, and am partial to them. That this one has zig zag is a big plus. I like the newer servo motors for how smooth and quiet they are, she may wish to consider adding that with this beauty. If it takes high shank attachments more luck for her. Industrial attachments work well and are pretty cheap. Binders are a good example.

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  2. That is one big machine. Oh yea, some of us never learned how to sew clothes. Home Ec, way back when, and, my poor shirt somehow came out twice the size it was supposed to come out. The teacher and I never figured out what went wrong. I've avoided sewing clothes ever since. I'd love a costume to wear, while showing off my vintage machines, but....those patterns scare me.

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  3. I have had the same model for 6 years, used it for boat covers and sail repairs using zig-zag feature. Just snapped the drive belt, round in cross section, not the motor v belt. Having hard time finding a listed rubber belt for it, may have to go the leather treadle belt off ebay from China. Be interested if anyone knows a supplier of original rubber ones.

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  4. Check with Superior Sewing Inc.or Dunlap Sunbrand Intl.

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  5. Hi,
    I've just purchased a 307G2 and would like to clean it up and get it running like new; if possible??
    Is there any possibility I could get a copy of the manual of this machine like in the photo above?
    You can email me at pat_jasmin@hotmail.com
    thanks,
    Pat

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  6. I recently bought one of these machines. They are also known as Sail Makers. They will handle everything from velvet to seatbelts or heavy webbing.

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  7. I just deleted a comment in a language I didn't recognize. I can handle English, Spanish and French. I can cope with Italian and Portuguese. Anything else will be deleted. Sorry if you were writing to say how wonderful this blog is, lol.

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  8. Enjoyed the article! I just purchased this machine and was wondering if you wouldnt mind passing along the name of the vendor you had tucked away if you still remember? I'm having a grand time trying to find parts and a manual for it! Thanks for any information you can pass along.....

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  9. Hi, There,
    I also recently purchased one of these and am trying to find out what kind of presser feet it takes? Is it a low shank, high shank or slant shank? I think it's a high shank but not certain. I have the manual for the 307G model but would love to find the manual for the 307 G2 which is what I have.
    Thanks

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  10. I own a heavier duty version of this machine (Bigger motor, magnetic switch) that I used for upholstery and leather back in the day, haven't used it in years, I'm wondering what it might be worth?
    Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. This is going to sound like a smart-alec remark, but I am saying it with all respect and sincerity:
      It is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it.
      It's impossible for me to give you a better answer than that. Machines vary, markets vary, customers vary.
      I paid $25 for the machine in this blog post, kept it for 20 years, and then gave it to a friend.

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  11. Hello DragonPoodle,
    (not intended as a post to the blog, but for you only)

    My wife has the exact same machine, but the light is missing. I would like to replace it (for her upcoming birthday) but I don't have a clue what it's supposed to look like.

    I read that you gave the machine to a friend, but perhaps you still have photo's of the armature of the lamp ? Or maybe your friend still had the machine and could provide me with some detailed photo's ?

    It would make my wife very happy, as she still uses this machine after more than 25 years and almost weekly.

    Thanks in advance,

    Bas Hartkamp

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  12. Hi
    I have this machine - it is (was) so strong! But I broke the timing belt after I put a new motor on it. Would kill to find a replacement belt if anyone has any tips!! Also I would love to get a copy of the manual if possible o_brien_s@hotmail.com Thanks Steve

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I want to hear from all of you who want to talk about sewing and sewing machines!